A Mixed-Methods Study Into the Discipline-Specific Effect of Critical EAP on Reading Comprehension

Although critical English for academic purposes (CEAP) has grown theoretically, more research is needed to explore it in more depth. This sequential mixed-methods study primarily aimed to examine whether the CEAP and traditional English for academic purposes (EAP) have different impacts on Irani...

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Main Authors: Tahereh Movahhedi, Seyyed Amir Hossein Sarkeshikian, Mohammad Golshan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Modern Research in English Language Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jmrels.journals.ikiu.ac.ir/article_3342_0e74da2a45df699d30d35625fa1aeb8b.pdf
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author Tahereh Movahhedi
Seyyed Amir Hossein Sarkeshikian
Mohammad Golshan
author_facet Tahereh Movahhedi
Seyyed Amir Hossein Sarkeshikian
Mohammad Golshan
author_sort Tahereh Movahhedi
collection DOAJ
description Although critical English for academic purposes (CEAP) has grown theoretically, more research is needed to explore it in more depth. This sequential mixed-methods study primarily aimed to examine whether the CEAP and traditional English for academic purposes (EAP) have different impacts on Iranian university students' English reading comprehension, and (if yes) whether it is discipline-specific. This study also intended to explore how traditional EAP students’ preferences aligned with the CEAP principles. To this end, a sample of 100 Iranian university students of computer sciences and architecture with intermediate level of English proficiency was initially selected through convenience sampling. They were then randomly assigned to two control groups and two experimental groups, consisting of 25 participants each. Then, two piloted researcher-made reading tests were administered to all groups as a pre-test. The experimental computer sciences and architecture groups were taught using the CEAP pedagogy. Hence, the syllabus was negotiated based on the CEAP principles. The control computer sciences and architecture groups received the traditional EAP as their placebos. They were taught the curricular textbooks. After the treatment, all groups were asked to complete their posttests. Two-way ANOVA results indicated that the CEAP groups significantly outperformed the traditional EAP groups on the posttests. It was also found that the effect of the CEAP pedagogy was not discipline-specific. Additionally, the results of qualitative data analysis revealed a lack of preference for the traditional EAP programs among the interviewees in favor of the CEAP. Implications are offered for EAP teachers, students, and material developers.
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spelling doaj-art-2b1ea4ede0244cee9da9b8b19569f97f2025-08-20T02:04:10ZengImam Khomeini International University, Qazvin,Journal of Modern Research in English Language Studies2676-53572024-11-0112112514610.30479/jmrels.2024.19950.2326A Mixed-Methods Study Into the Discipline-Specific Effect of Critical EAP on Reading ComprehensionTahereh Movahhedi0Seyyed Amir Hossein Sarkeshikian1Mohammad Golshan2Maybod Branch, Islamic Azad University, Maybod, IranQom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran, Maybod Branch, Islamic Azad University, Maybod, IranAlthough critical English for academic purposes (CEAP) has grown theoretically, more research is needed to explore it in more depth. This sequential mixed-methods study primarily aimed to examine whether the CEAP and traditional English for academic purposes (EAP) have different impacts on Iranian university students' English reading comprehension, and (if yes) whether it is discipline-specific. This study also intended to explore how traditional EAP students’ preferences aligned with the CEAP principles. To this end, a sample of 100 Iranian university students of computer sciences and architecture with intermediate level of English proficiency was initially selected through convenience sampling. They were then randomly assigned to two control groups and two experimental groups, consisting of 25 participants each. Then, two piloted researcher-made reading tests were administered to all groups as a pre-test. The experimental computer sciences and architecture groups were taught using the CEAP pedagogy. Hence, the syllabus was negotiated based on the CEAP principles. The control computer sciences and architecture groups received the traditional EAP as their placebos. They were taught the curricular textbooks. After the treatment, all groups were asked to complete their posttests. Two-way ANOVA results indicated that the CEAP groups significantly outperformed the traditional EAP groups on the posttests. It was also found that the effect of the CEAP pedagogy was not discipline-specific. Additionally, the results of qualitative data analysis revealed a lack of preference for the traditional EAP programs among the interviewees in favor of the CEAP. Implications are offered for EAP teachers, students, and material developers.https://jmrels.journals.ikiu.ac.ir/article_3342_0e74da2a45df699d30d35625fa1aeb8b.pdfcritical english for academic purposesenglish for academic purposesenglish for specific purposesreading comprehensionsequential mixed-methods study
spellingShingle Tahereh Movahhedi
Seyyed Amir Hossein Sarkeshikian
Mohammad Golshan
A Mixed-Methods Study Into the Discipline-Specific Effect of Critical EAP on Reading Comprehension
Journal of Modern Research in English Language Studies
critical english for academic purposes
english for academic purposes
english for specific purposes
reading comprehension
sequential mixed-methods study
title A Mixed-Methods Study Into the Discipline-Specific Effect of Critical EAP on Reading Comprehension
title_full A Mixed-Methods Study Into the Discipline-Specific Effect of Critical EAP on Reading Comprehension
title_fullStr A Mixed-Methods Study Into the Discipline-Specific Effect of Critical EAP on Reading Comprehension
title_full_unstemmed A Mixed-Methods Study Into the Discipline-Specific Effect of Critical EAP on Reading Comprehension
title_short A Mixed-Methods Study Into the Discipline-Specific Effect of Critical EAP on Reading Comprehension
title_sort mixed methods study into the discipline specific effect of critical eap on reading comprehension
topic critical english for academic purposes
english for academic purposes
english for specific purposes
reading comprehension
sequential mixed-methods study
url https://jmrels.journals.ikiu.ac.ir/article_3342_0e74da2a45df699d30d35625fa1aeb8b.pdf
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